Page 2 - The Michigan Daily - Monday, January 29, 1990
Democrats assail
budget plan
WASHINGTON D.C. (AP) -
President Bush yesterday prepared to
send Congress a $1.23 trillion 1991
spending plan that his budget direc-
tor said contains no general tax in-
crease and which he predicted will be
"criticized unfairly" on Capitol Hill.
With many details already known
about the budget, which will be re-
leased today, Democratic lawmakers
are complaining that it fails to ad-
dress the deficit seriously and that its
defense cuts are too timid.
But White House Budget Director
Richard Darman yesterday blasted
what he said was "an awful lot of
hypocrisy" and "posturing" by law-
makers about the administration's
plans.
"We're about to start an annual
ritual, which is regrettable," Darman
said on NBC-TV's "Meet the Press."
"Our budget will be criticized un-
fairly. People ought to sit down and
do serious work."
The spending plan, for the fiscal
year that begins Oct. 1, claims to re-
duce next year's shortfall by $36.5
billion in minor new taxes and fees,
and cuts in defense and domestic
programs, sources have said.
The $36.1 billion deficit falls
just below the $64 billion ceiling
required by the Gramm-Rudman bal-
anced-budget law. It will be the
smallest shortfall proposed by a
president since President Reagan sent
his first spending blueprint to Capi-
tol Hill in in March 1981, when his
budget for fiscal 1982 contained a
$45 billion gap.
But Democrats say Bush's budget
relies on unrealistically optimistic
assumptions about economic per-
formance, such as the spending
plan's expected estimate that the
economy will growaby about 2.6
percent this year. That drives up the
amount of revenues the administra-
tion can project collecting and makes
the amount of needed deficit reduc-
tion appear smaller.
They also say Bush's $303.3 bil-
lion defense spending proposal - a
2 percent cut when compared to the
costs of inflation - is too high
considering the political and social
changes in Eastern Europe.
Senate Budget Committee Chair
James Sasser, D-Tenn., predicted "a
very chilly and negative reception on
the Hill" for Bush's spending plan.
"It's clear the administration is
still not serious about deficit reduc-
tion," he said last week. "Their
spending priorities are misdirected.
And they still are directing too much
to defense."
"The bottom line for everyone to
ask is, 'Is it real, is it fair, is it bal-
anced." House Budget Committee
Chair Leon Panetta D-Calif. told
reporters Friday.
E. German elections to be held in March
EAST BERLIN (AP) - East
Germany's first free and contested
elections have been moved ahead by
nearly two months to March 18, the
government and opposition an-
nounced late yesterday.
The elections to seat a new Par-
liament and government had been
planned for May 6.
The announcement came after
Communist Premier Hans Modrow
spent the day in negotiations with
representatives of more than a dozen
political groups that are seeking
Cabinet seats in his faltering gov-
ernment.
Modrow had agreed to share
power with the opposition in a bid
to rebuild his government.
The opposition appeared to be in-
creasingly divided however and the
biggest opposition group lost a
chunk of its membership to a break-
away faction.
The Christian Democratic Union
withdrew its three ministers from
Modrow's 27-member Cabinet last
week, and reform groups have in-
creasingly accused Modrow's gov-
ernment of being too slow to adopt
changes.
The predominantly Communist
Cabinet currently in power was
seated by a parliament that was not
democratically elected.
Modrow is hoping that by bring-
ing in a broader representation of po-
litical forces, the new Cabinet will
gain public confidence as the country
prepares for the elections.
More than a dozen small political
parties are vying for public support
in this nation of 16 million, which
is troubled by economic disaster and
a continuing exodus of its most
promising workers.
The flight westward, which
drained the nation of more than
340,000 people last year, recently.
swelled to about 2,500 departures
daily.
MS A
Continued from Page 1
turning the judiciary's ruling.
Conservative Coalition leader Jeff
Johnson, an engineering senior,
asserted that the CSJ ruling was un-
fair because a Conservative Coali-
tion representative was not allowed
at the hearing.
Johnson claimed the nine repre-
sentatives who were appointed by
the LSA student government to fill
the vacant positions on the Assem-
bly did not truly represent the stu-
dent body and should be replaced by
those who were declared winners un-
der the original results.
The LSA-SG, in completing its
responsibility to fill any vacancies
of the assembly, appointed four
Choice party members, four Conser-
vative Coalition members and one
mindependent to the Assembly.
The Conservative Coalition ap-
peal was accepted by Regent Deane
Baker (R-Ann Arbor) who proposed
a motion during the January Board of
Regent's meeting to look into
MSA's election procedures and asked
that the regents be empowered to
overturn CSJ's decision.
Baker withdrew the proposal after
receiving assurances from University
President James Duderstadt that he
would stay on top of the matter.
But the issue of regental interfer-
ence in a student election puts MSA
and the Conservative Coalition in a
tricky position.
If the regents tried to overrule
CSJ, it would set a precedent for re-
gental interference in other student
government affairs.
The regents have had tenuous re-
lations with the Michigan Student
Assembly in the past. Last year,
they threatened to cut MSA funding
unless the Assembly, under then-
president Michael Phillips could de-
velop better working relations with
various student groups.
Under current MSA president
Aaron Williams, some representa-
tives have said the relationship be-
tween the administration and MSA
has been improving.
But the Assembly and the admin-
istration must now question how
close is too close.
If the regents act on the Conser-
vative Coalition's behalf now, they
will be aligning themselves with the
Conservative Coalition.
The Choice party is likely to say
the regents are not acting as a non-
partisan body, but are acting to root
out students who have challenged the
administration in the past.
If the Conservative Coalition ac-
cepts interference on its behalf, it
too will be criticized by the Choice
party. Furthermore, if the regents act
for the Conservative Coalition, they
may expect cooperation from the
party in the future, even on issues
where the administration and the
party differ.
But interference in the student
government will not come to
fruition if Duderstadt maintains the
position he took at the last regent's
meeting.
Duderstadt opposed formal inter-
Is the only MAC you know
a hamburger.
1, e
* 0
f **- . ""*"
..*-,. "- ..
*, * 6
" """".,*"
vention in the student government's
elections, saying he preferred to help
students solve their own problems
rather than doing it for them.
At the time of the regent's meet-
ing Duderstadt had already explored
hearing an appeal of the CSJ deci-
sion by the Conservative Coalition,
but had found under the MSA com-
piled code that appeals can only be
granted to defendants in a disci-
plinary case, not a civil case. In
order for the president to overturn the
CSJ decision, he would have had to
use Regental bylaw 2.01 - which
grants the president power to act in
the interest of student welfare - to
suspend the Assembly's compiled
code.
Such a suspension of student
laws, on behalf of the Conservative
Coalition, would have reflected
poorly on the administration because
students would have seen the action
as a suspension of their rights and as
an aligning of the president with the
Conservative Coalition.
So when asked what the regents
could do about the elections Duder-
stadt said he would look into it.
Thus, he answered the regents' con-
cerns over the elections without
committing to interfere and at the
same time, gave students more time
to work out their own problems.
The Assembly is presently look-
ing into changing its election proce-
dures on its own. Several representa-
tives have suggested holding elec-
tions during CRISP or automating
the election.
Certain changes may need ap-
provalfrom the regents, and if the
regents are interested in improving
the elections they may be willing to
acquiesce to student proposals on the
matter.
The ultimate end to November's
MSA election may see some good,
changes in MSA's election proce-
dures.
But the Assembly itself, as of
now, remains what it was two
months ago - a divided body which
spends most of its meeting time
bickering over politics. This month,
however, the administration will be
watching to see how it conducts it-
self.
rEMA DIREcg;TORY
IN BRIEF
Compiled from Associated Press and staff reports
Panamanians cheer Quayle
PANAMA CITY - Vice President Dan Quayle was cheered by
churchgoers whose priest welcomed the U.S. military invasion, and the
new government's leaders said American troops still are needed to help
stabilize the country.
While the continued presence of the U.S. troops has rankled other
Latin nations, Panama's new president, Guillermo Endara, said the
occupying troops are needed until Panama can get its police force
operational.
Peruvian President Alan Garcia has refused to attend the Feb. 15 drug
summit in Colombia with President Bush unless the U.S. invasion forces
are out of Panama.
But Endara said yesterday that other Latin leaders should "think of the
Panamanian people and what they want."
Quayle met with leaders of Panama's new government to discuss
Bush's $1 billion economic recovery package and the withdrawal of
occupying troops in what he said would be a matter of weeks.
Debate over teen abortions
returns to Michigan Senate
LANSING - The seemingly endless dispute over abortion heats up
again this week in the Michigan Senate, as a committee takes up legisla-
tion to require parental consent for teens' abortions.
The Senate Human Resources and Senior Citizens Committee is con-
sidering a House provision that would allow a psychologist or psychia-
trist to ask a court to allow an abortion if a girl threatened suicide. Anti-
abortion forces oppose the change.
The Senate already has approved requiring parental consent for abor-
tions. The bill would require an unmarried girl less than 18 to obtain the
consent of at least one parent to get an abortion, or seek a court ruling au-
thorizing it.
Even if the bill passes the full Legislature, Gov. James Blanchard is
expected to veto it. Anti-abortion lawmakers don't have the votes to
override a veto.
Industries pollute Mich. air
LANSING - Toxic air emissions dropped sharply in Michigan in
1988, but industries still pumped 91 million pounds of hazardous chemi-
cals into the air, according to U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
data.
Compared to the previous year, industries also also discharged less
toxic waste into Michigan's water and reduced the amount of hazardous
materials sent to sewage treatment plants, landfills and incinerators, fed-
eral records show.
Even with the decreased emissions, Michigan's air remains a favored
dumping ground for industrial waste, according to an analysis of the EPA
data, obtained last week by the Booth Newspapers.
"I'm glad the (air emissions) numbers were lower in 1988, but 91'mil-
lion pounds of toxic air emissions is nothing to cheer about," said Carl
Zichella, Midwest associate representative for the Sierra Club in Madison,
Wis.
Elderly fearful over tax-cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Advocacy groups for the elderly say a con-
gressional proposal to cut the payroll tax helps highlight their concern
that Social Security's trust funds are being used to mask the size of the
federal deficit.
That's not to say they support the tax-cut plan advanced by their tradi-
tional ally, Sen. Daniel Moynihan (D-N.Y.). Many groups representing
the elderly are expressing reservations about the proposal, warning that it
could jeopardize Social Security's financial standing and cause a loss of
confidence in the system.
"There are going to be a lot of yellow lights telling Congress to go
slow," said an official at one organization who asked not to be identified.
President Bush, hoping to derail the Moynihan plan, will offer an al-
ternative program that would use the $2.8 trillion national debt, adminis-
tration officials said Saturday.
EXTRAS
Broncos tie Super Bowl loss
0*
0
record
0-4
Twelve reasons why Denver didn't win the Super Bowl:
1. John Elway doesn't tip enough
2. Those ugly orange uniforms
3. They weren't playing Dallas
4. Didn't feel like it, so nyah, nyah
5. Up all night watching Home Shopping Network
6. Too busy watching Bud Bowl on sidelines
7. Used Dan Quayle's playbook
8. Trying to be a kinder, gentler football team
9. Sent best players to restore order in Panama
10. Contemplating the Michigan Mandate
11. Don't want to break their losing streak
12. They didn't eat their Wheaties
You can't eat a Macintosh computer, but you can learn to use
one. That's why PIC - Peer Information Counseling - offers
assistance in basic word processing. Because we know a lot of
you just haven't had the opportunity.
So if you're hungry for a computer, but don't know how to byte
into one, drop by our posted hours, or call 764-4479 for more
information.
Academic Resource Center
Undergraduate Library
jibe 1Mid iguu &iiy
Th~hiaginig.23r, a tIa"sflsa
The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745-967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter
terms by students at the University of Michigan. Subscription rates: for fall and winter (2 semesters)
$28.00 in-town and $39 out-of-town, for tall only $18.00 in-town and $22.00 out-of-town.
The Michigan Daily is a member of The Associated Press and the Student News Service.
ADDRESS: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard, Ann Arbor, MI 48109.
PHONE NUMBERS: News (313) 764-0552, Opinion 747-2814, Arts 763-0379, Sports 747-3336, Cir-
culation 764-0558, Classified advertising 764-0557, Display advertising 764-0554, Billing 764-0550
EDITORAL STAFF:
Edit in Chief
Mmqing Editor
News Editors
Opinion Page Editors
Associme Opinion Editor
Letters Editor
Weekend Editors
Weekend Staff
Adam Schrager
Steve Kncapor
Mwiguel Cruz,
Alex Gordon, David Schwartz
Elizabeth Esch, Amy Harmon
Phiip Cohen
David Levin
Mguel Cruz,
Kevin Woodson
Phil Cohen, Rob Earle,
Alex Gordon, Fred Zinn
Sports Editor
Associate Sports Ediors
Arts Editors
Rim
Music
Books
Theatre
Photo Editor
Graphics Coordinator
Mike Gil
Adam Benson, Richard Elsen,
Lory Knapp, Taylor Uncoln
Alyssa KatzKrisin Palm
Tony Siber
Naboe Zuberi
Mark Swartz
Jay Pekala
David Lubiner
Kevin Woodson
News: Karen Akedlot, Josephuine Balenger, Joena Broder, Diane Cook, Maron Davis, Heaver Foe, Noah nkrel, Tara Gruzen,
Jennilfer Hid, Ian Hoffman, Brit t aly, Mark Katz, Christine Kioostra, Krislno Lalonide, Ruff Litmann, Joesh itidc Dart Poux, Amy
Qud, Sash Renberg, Taraneh Shai, Mike Sobel, Vera Songwe, Noele Vance, Donna Woodwel.
Opinion: Ian Gray,.Liz Paige, Greg Rowe, Laura Sankey.
SportsMihael Bess, Steve Cohen, Theodore Cox, Doug Donaldson, Jei Durst, Jad Enin, Scott Erskine, Steve FRaiberg, Andy
Gottesman, Phi Green, David Hyman, Eric Lemont, John Niyo, Sarah Osburn, Matt Rennie, Jonathan Samnick, David Schechter,
Ryan Schreiber, Jeff Sheran, Peter Zelen, DantZoch.
Arts. Greg Base, Sherril L Bennett, Jon Bik, Mark BIneli, Kenneth Chow, Sheala Durant, Brent Edwards, e Fischer, Forrest
Green, Sharon Grimberg, Brian Jarvinen, Mike Kuniavsky, Ami Mehta, Mike Molitor, Carolyn Pajor, Kristn Palm, Annette Petusso, Jay
Pinka, Qegod Roach, Peter Shapiro, Rona Sheramy.
Photo: Jennifer Dunetz, Amy Feldman, Julie Hdkman, Jose Juarez, Jonathan Liss, Josh Moore, Samantha Sanders, Kemnth Smaller,
::-:'
January 18 - April 25
Sunday - Friday 1-5 p.m.
Peer'
I I ' f-i w i i..n .. 4n v a ..a ,. .. ^ A..b.r nn.I.
I